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Casta?on, Mary Olvera

Casta?on, Mary Olvera

CASTA?ON, Mary Olvera Our beloved mother, Mary Olvera Casta?on, age 76, went home to her Savior on August 9, 2017. The fourth of nine children, Mary was a native Austinite born December 19, 1940. She was graduated from Austin High School in 1959 and soon after married Andrew Casta?on. Together they had four children Veronyca, Michael, Vivian and Valerie each of whom she was very proud. After over 30 years of service, she retired from the Texas Employment Commission in 1998 where she made many life-long friendships. Mary had a deep Catholic faith. She and her mother made many pilgrimages to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City in the 1970s. Later she and her husband were founding members of St. Paul's Catholic Church in South Austin. Mary was a charter member of their Ladies' group contributing to numerous fairs throughout their early years. When she and Andrew moved to North Austin, they joined St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. After raising four children, Mary spent her later years focused on spoiling her grandchildren. They each have special memories of grandma Mary taking them shopping for Christmas or birthday presents, sneaking them sips of coffee, or feeding them by hand when they were far too old for such a thing. As her grandchildren got older, they might have convinced her to have a nip of tequila with them on special occasions! As she told her speech therapist recently, she would try anything once! Mary loved to vacation visiting Europe, Mexico and cities all over the United States. We all have memories of vacations with her whether camping Lake Somerville, visiting museums in Mexico City, sunning on the beaches of Destin, lounging in Marathon, hiking in Colorado, or traipsing the Pacific Northwest. She was an avid crafter, a voracious reader, and puzzle solver. Although not athletic herself, she loved sports of all kinds. Most of all she loved Longhorn and Cowboys' football and could be found most weekends cheering them on- or more accurately yelling at the TV. She knew best what plays they should have run. While she left meal cooking to Andrew, she did all the baking. It wouldn't be the holidays without her pecan tassies or her hand made bu?uelos. Mary was extremely generous, giving to countless organizations not limited to the Maryknoll Society, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the World Wildlife Federation, and the Sierra Club. Her generosity extended to individuals as well. She and Andrew knew no strangers. She always held the door open to those who didn't have a place for any holiday. There was always room for one more (or two, or three). Her kindness and thoughtfulness will long be remembered. As Mary used to love to sing to her great-grandson, "Turn out the lights. The party's over." We love you Mom. The party won't be the same without you. Mary is survived by her husband Andrew Casta?on, her children and their spouses: Veronyca & Steve Horst, Michael & Moira Casta?on, Vivian & Trey Herschap, and Valerie Casta??n-Wilson. She leaves behind her dearly-loved grandchildren and great-grandson: Zachary Casta?on; Andrew, Aidan & Alison Casta?on; Maddie Jo Hoff and her son Kam; and Blake & Dalton Wilson. She also leaves behind her sisters Alice Garcia, Theresa Gonzalez, Susie DelaRosa, Dolores Canales, Anna Ullrich and Elizabeth Alaniz, their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Reyes and Cleotilde Olvera, and her brothers Reyes Alfonso "Buddy", and Jose Carlos. Finally, we would like to thank the staff at St. David's NAMC and at Kindred Hospice for their kindness, patience, and dedication to not only our mother, but ourselves. It will not be forgotten. Visitation will be held Monday August 14th at 4PM at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A rosary will be said following visitation at 7PM. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, August 15th at 10:30 AM at St. Albert the Great, 12041 Bittern Hollow, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow mass. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis King of France Catholic Church Social Ministries, Austin, Texas.